Visit Black Friday is a popular event in London.

Like every year, the city's stores are abuzz with activity.

In this article, I introduce you to this invaluable business event.

Black Friday in London: article summary

What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is the biggest commercial event of the year.

It is fed by retailers who cut prices on thousands of products.

It used to be a one-day event, It lasts for most of November.

Why it's called Black Friday?

The nickname behind one of the busiest trade events of the year has a history.

Marking the start of the busy purchasing period for NoëlBlack Friday has evolved considerably since it was first popularized in the 1980s.

In the past, this was the time of year when retailers stopped operating at a loss and started turning their profit books from negative to positive, because they earned a large part of their annual income during the holiday season in the USA.

These days, the event is simply a great opportunity to get huge discounts on some of the products you want.

When Black Friday starts?

Taking place the weekend after Thanksgiving, London's Black Friday always falls on the last weekend of November, so in 2023 it fell on November 24.

As for 2024, the last Friday of the month is the 29th, so take note and get ready for big expenses.

Sales officially began one minute after midnight on Friday morning and run through the weekend, before ending at midnight on Monday, which was affectionately known as Cyber Monday.

What is Cyber Monday?

If I mention Cyber Monday above, it's because it's still technically part of the Black Friday sales.

It was so named because, at a time when digital purchasing wasn't as advanced or normal as it is today, it was the best time... for online offers and discounts.

Black Friday was traditionally a physical affair, with real-world store traffic the main driver of sales.

If you're more of a discerning buyer, you'll find the best offers online the following Monday.

What's on sale during Black Friday?

Almost everything will be on special offer throughout this period, so if you've been saving up for Christmas presents or just want to buy something new for yourself, this is usually the best time to do it.

Companies like Samsung generally offer deals on everything from home appliances and kitchen appliances to TVs and tablets.

London's fashion boutiques reduce prices on designer t-shirts, sneakers, sports equipment and accessories.

How long does Black Friday last in London??

Officially, this begins the weekend after Thanksgiving, but since this is a traveling vacation, this sale period can usually fall any time during the last week of the month.

In some years, this has meant that transactions have extended into December, Cyber Monday takes place on the first days of the month.

Transactions end at midnight on Cyber Monday, which will be November 2 for 2024.

When do retailers launch their Black Friday sales??

Now we come to the heart of the matter. Black Friday takes place on November 29, 2024, but it's possible that most of the sales start about two weeks beforehand.

This means that everyone can offer some sort of discount on a wide range of products

Black Friday in London is as popular as in most other cities around the world. It's an easy way to save money and to find interesting offers.

Brigit's Bakery is an experience you can enjoy during your stay in London.

Today, I'm going to tell you all about this very special restaurant.

Brigit's Bakery: article summary

The afternoon tea bus

Brigit's Bakery is not just any bus. In it, you find yourself at the heart of a typical London transport system from the 1960s!

All the while visiting London's most famous and important landmarks, you can enjoy sandwiches and the inevitable tea.

A special atmosphere from Victoria station

The bus departs from Victoria Street stationThis is ideal, as the station is served by various means of transport. You can choose to arrive by bus or metro.

If you're running late, you'll receive a call to let you know the schedule has changed. So you can be sure so you don't miss your bus!

Brigit's Bakery: a variety of tastings to suit every palate

What's more, the afternoon tea on the bus tour caters for all dietary needs and offers menus :

• Gluten-free
• Vegans
• Vegetarians
• Halal

A unique experience inside the bus

Once everyone's seated on the bus, it's like going on a school trip, full of excitement and chatter and the steward ticking off names on his notebook.

The journey begins and you can wrap yourself in your blanket and enjoy a unique tour of the city.

Brigit's Bakery: many new features on the bus

Everything is already laid out on the table for you. You'll have your own 2-level stand, adding to the experience and making it more special and exclusive.

Depending on the time of year, certain decorations will also be present on the Brigit's Bakery bus.

A variety of delights on the menu

After a brief introduction and safety instructions, the teas are served, and there's a wide choice to choose from.

Tea is served in thermos cups. This keeps the tea hotter for longer and eliminates the worry of spills and burns.

A complete vegetarian menu

During your trip, you can also enjoy a full vegetarian menu. It offers all kinds of vegetable and cheese sandwiches.

Halfway through the service, you'll be treated to a savory muffin with feta, peppers and sun-dried tomatoes, fresh from the oven.

Warm scones with clotted cream and jam are also served mid-service.

Brigit's Bakery: a farandole of desserts

For desserts, you can also enjoy a good number of cakes such as :

• Lemon Meringue Tart
• Chocolate mini cupcake
• Raspberry and Coconut Puffs
• Breton caramel shortbread

An incredible journey through London

The journey takes you through :

• Big Ben
• Harrods
• Visit Royal Albert Hall
• Marble Arch
• Trafalgar Square
• Buckingham Palace

Brigit's Bakery: some practical information

The tour lasts a total of 90 minutes.

The afternoon tea bus tour costs 45 per person.

The bus departs from 3 locations and caters for different dietary needs, some at extra cost, but only £3 extra.

Soft drinks and other beverages can be purchased on the bus for an additional fee.

Brigit's Bakery is a place like few others on earth. A real rolling café, you can enjoy a cup of tea while discovering London's many places of interest.

Vous connaissez Burlington Arcade à Londres?

C’est le couloir des boutiques de luxe au large de Piccadilly.

Aujourd’hui, je vous invite à faire un peu de shopping avec moi !

Burlington Arcade à Londres : sommaire de l’article

Qu’est-ce que Burlington Arcade Londres?

À côté de Burlington House, cette arcade de boutiques de 180 m de long regorge de marques de luxe depuis 200 ans.

Elle a été conçue par l’architecte Samuel Ware en 1819 comme un lieu pour la vente de bijoux et d’articles de fantaisie à la mode.

Aujourd’hui, il abrite près de 50 boutiques allant des marques de luxe, comme Chanel, aux cafés éphémères et aux petits créateurs.

Pourquoi ce lieu a-t-il été construit?

Aujourd’hui, Mayfair est une plaque tournante des acheteurs aisés qui parcourent les boutiques de luxe.

Mais au début du 19e siècle, c’était un peu moins salubre, avec des pickpockets qui parcouraient les rues et il n’y avait guère d’endroits appropriés pour que les personnes aisées puissent dépenser leur argent.

Commandé par George Cavendish en 1819, il souhaitait un endroit sûr pour que sa femme puisse faire ses courses.

Une autre version de l’histoire raconte qu’il a en fait construit le couloir le long de son jardin pour empêcher les passants embêtants de jeter des détritus dans son jardin !

Plusieurs magasins de luxe

Pour assurer la protection des 51 magasins de produits de luxe, Lord Cavendish engagea son propre régiment militaire : le 10ᵉ Royal Hussars pour garder Burlington Arcade.

Ils étaient connus sous le nom de Beadles et aujourd’hui encore, ils s’occupent de l’arcade.

Ce n’était pas seulement le shopping qui attirait Lady Cavendish. Elle a transformé l’arcade en une entreprise caritative, embauchant comme commerçantes des femmes veuves dont les maris n’étaient pas revenus des guerres napoléoniennes.

Burlington Arcade Londres : les détails à ne pas manquer

En vous approchant de l’arcade depuis Piccadilly, levez les yeux pour apercevoir les armoiries de Cavendish en haut de l’entrée.

Une partie de leur iconographie familiale est également la rose Tudor qui apparaît encore sur les uniformes des Beadle.

Mais une fois à l’intérieur de l’arcade, il faut lever les yeux pour apprécier les détails.

En particulier les fleurs sculptées individuellement sur les arches.

Le sol est composé de 68 000 pièces de pierre anglaise. Découpé en Italie puis transporté dans un immense puzzle, il a été installé en 2015 par Jamie Fobert Architects.

Un lieu pour les personnalités de Londres

Au cours de ses 200 ans d’histoire, Burlington Arcade a attiré son lot de visages célèbres. Les bijoutiers Micheal Rose étaient autrefois la librairie de Jeff et c’est là que George Elliot a rencontré son amant marié George Henry Lewes.

On dit qu’entre les pages des livres, ils cachaient des lettres d’amour pour que chacun les retrouve.

Burlington Arcade reflétait l’économie de Londres et, lorsque les temps étaient durs, les commerçants engageaient souvent des courtisanes pour apporter un petit plus.

Cependant, aucun argent ne changeait de mains, les visiteurs masculins étaient censés acheter des cadeaux dans les magasins du rez-de-chaussée pour les échanger contre des services.

Quelques infos pour visiter Burlington Arcade à Londres

Burlington Arcade ouvre :

• Monday to Saturday de 9 h à 19 h 30
• Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

La visite est gratuite et tout le monde est le bienvenu !

Les arcades de Burlington sont des endroits à ne pas manquer. Lors de votre visite, vous pourrez découvrir ce lieu haut en couleur au passé exceptionnel.

Visit cabaret est le renouveau musical du West End et se retrouve au Kit Kat Club London.

Aujourd’hui, je vous emmène découvrir le burlesque en plein cœur de Londres.

London Cabaret : sommaire de l’article

London Cabaret : une histoire brève

Entre 1929 et 1933, le romancier, dramaturge et scénariste anglo-américain Christopher Isherwood vit par intermittence à Berlin.

Profitant des cabarets Jazz de la ville, les escapades d’Isherwood ont eu lieu alors que le fascisme gagnait l’Allemagne.

Ses expériences ont inspiré six histoires entrelacées et publiées en 1939 chez Goodbye To Berlin. Elles se concentrent sur Sally Bowles, un personnage tiré de son entourage proche.

Une œuvre qui gagne en popularité au fil du temps

Goodbye To Berlin a été si bien accueilli en Grande-Bretagne qu’en 1951 l’histoire de Sally Bowles a été adaptée pour Broadway par John Van Druten.

Il a été transféré à Londres trois ans plus tard et est ensuite devenu un film maladroit qui abordait avec précaution les thèmes du sexe et de l’avortement.

En 1966, ils avaient collectivement développé un concept qui rompait avec les conventions de Broadway.

Les critiques étaient initialement mitigées, mais le public était électrisé. La première production de Broadway a duré plus d’un millier de représentations avec la starlette anglaise Jill Haworth et l’adolescente Liza Minnelli dans le rôle de Sally.

Une œuvre qui revient rapidement à Londres

Lorsque la production déménage à Londres en 1968, Judi Dench assume le rôle. Avance rapide jusqu’à aujourd’hui et après avoir récolté 7 de ses 11 nominations en 2022, l’œuvre fait un véritable retour triomphant.

London Cabaret : bienvenue au Kit Kat Club

Le Playhouse Theatre, situé à quelques pas de la station de métro Embankment, a été transformé et magistralement réduit en un club intime, séduisant et secret de style berlinois : Le Kit Kat Club.

Depuis la vue sur la Thames and the London Eye, vous entrez dans un labyrinthe de couloirs sombres et éclairés en rouge et êtes transporté à l’époque du cabaret de la République de Weimar.

Les détenteurs de billets sont encouragés à arriver tôt pour avoir le temps d’explorer tous les coins et recoins du club.

Les artistes du Prologue, neuf musiciens et danseurs professionnels, parcourent le bâtiment et les bars pendant que le public arrive.

Dans The Gold Bar, l’artiste Dominic Myatt a réalisé des peintures murales qui font un clin d’œil aux peintures classiques qui ornent les murs et les plafonds des théâtres de Londres.

Des scènes qui s’enchainent au fil des actes

Après les scènes percutantes de la fin du premier acte, l’intervalle offre un léger soulagement alors que le public se dirige vers les bars et que les interprètes du Prologue réapparaissent, interagissant avec les clients.

Il est ensuite temps de s’installer pour l’acte deux et, attention, les émotions continuent d’être vives.

Alors que le parti nazi continue de se renforcer et que les fêtards berlinois deviennent de plus en plus conscients des événements politiques, les personnages doivent prendre des décisions difficiles.

Sachant ce qui attend encore Berlin, l’Europe et le reste du monde, le dilemme de Herr Schultz et Fraulein Schneider est tout aussi attristant.

L’humour et les farces du cabaret d’Act One ont disparu depuis longtemps, mais la puissance et le magnétisme du spectacle demeurent.

London Cabaret : une immersion totale

En entrant dans le club, on vous demande de mettre un cache sur votre appareil photo. En effet, vous ne pouvez pas prendre de photo sur place.

Je crois que c’est l’une des meilleures choses qu’un théâtre puisse faire de nos jours. Cette déconnexion mineure permet une immersion totale.

Bien sûr, le théâtre a été entièrement relooké comme un club de l’époque de la République de Weimar.

Lors de votre présence, vous vivrez l’expérience du Cabaret.

Comment se rendre au cabaret?

Le plus simple pour se rendre sur place est de prendre les transports en commun. Ainsi, les stations les plus proches sont :

• Charing Cross
• Embankment

Une soirée au cabaret en plein cœur de Londres est un moment qu’il est difficile d’oublier. Lors de votre soirée burlesque, vous pourrez rencontrer des personnages étonnants et découvrir une histoire touchante et palpitante.

The city of Canterbury is one of the most popular places for Londoners to visit when they move to Kent.

It's the perfect place for culture lovers.

Today, I'm talking about what to do there as a tourist.

Here we go!

Canterbury: article summary

Take part in the Canterbury Shakespeare Festival

This open-air festival is a Canterbury must! Newcomers and devoted Shakespeare fans alike will love this experience of theater festival with a variety of productions for the whole family at different venues around the city.

Enjoy well-known productions with unique experiences, all performed by local talent.

Smoked & Uncut Festival

The gourmet event of the year, the Smoked & Uncut Festival takes place in August. at the Pig at Bridge Place.

Expect delicious food in their ephemeral party tents and return to the rock'n'roll of the 90s with mythical bands invited every year! A feast for family and friends on your trip to London!

Canterbury: visit the cathedral

It's hard to miss Canterbury's magnificent cathedral. dominates the urban landscape in most views of the city.

Not only is it one of England's oldest and most famous Christian structures, it's also a World Heritage Site.

Take a moment to stroll through this monumental building and soak up the atmosphere. the incredible story that has unfolded here since its foundation in 597.

If a rainy day threatens to rain on your city parade, don't despair, because Canterbury is home to some fantastic indoor cultural attractions...

Spend some time at the Marlowe Theatre

First of all, Gulbenkian, the arts center of the University of Kent, offers first-class productions for children and adults.

The program is constantly evolving, so please consult the website before you get there.

The Marlowe Theatre is one of the country's leading regional theaters, and is right on your doorstep.

The theater attracts the best national touring productions, which means you don't have to go to the Big Smoke to see many West End shows.

In addition, their stand-up comedy and their annual pantomime are a must.

Canterbury and the cinema

If you'd like to discover the latest cinema releases in the comfort of some nice armchairs, I'd recommend a trip to the Curzon.

From blockbusters to the best of independent and world cinema, you'll find it all here.

Find out more about Curzon cinemasI suggest you read the article I wrote on the subject.

Take your children to a wildlife park

Howletts is home to over 390 animals, including the UK's largest herd of African elephants, and more :

• Gorillas
• Of tigers
• Of leopards
• Of monkeys

It's the perfect place to take your children to discover wild animals.

Discover Canterbury's River Tour

Canterbury River Tours offers a range of award-winning guided tours and fun for the whole family!

Admire the breathtaking architecture as you stroll through the heart of Canterbury on the River Stour. discover parts of the city that are only accessible through these tours.

Each boat is led by a helpful guide, who provides an entertaining introduction to the history of the buildings and monuments passing by.

Don't miss the Beaney

Let them discover a bit of culture at the Beaney Museum, Canterbury's library and art gallery in the heart of the city.

There's always something going on here, with exhibitions, events and daily activities.

It's the perfect place to take your children and spend some time discovering the many works of art on display.

Canterbury is a city close to London that will never cease to amaze you. During your trip to the city, it may be worthwhile to visit the town and see for yourself. discover everything the area has to offer.

Chessington is a theme park where you can spend a wonderful day with your family.

Today, I'm talking to you in detail about this special place near London.

Chessington: article summary

Where is Chessington?

Chessington is easy to reach by train and car, and is the perfect place to visit. an easy trip from London.

If you're on vacation and staying nearby, you can also enjoy other parks and attractions such as :

• Thorpe Park
• Legoland
• Richmond Park
• Hobbledown Adventure Farm Park and Zoo
• Hampton Court Palace

How to get to Chessington?

There are several ways to get there.

The first way to get here is by train. South Western Railway offers regular services from all major hubs, with the journey from Waterloo taking around 35 minutes.

You can also reach the site by bus. Several routes lead to Chessington, including buses 465, 71 and 467.

How to book tickets?

Various ticketing options are available on the official website, including advance booking offers and one-night packages. Same-day purchases are an option, but can be more expensive.

Plan your Chessington adventure

The Chessington app is a must-have for real-time updates, route information, reservations and much more.

The park offers over 40 attractions suitable for different age groups. Height often determines the accessibility of the ride, 1.2 m being a common threshold.

The quieter sections of the zoo and SEA Life offer a refreshing change from the thrill rides.

Chessington: the perfect place for youngsters

It's not always easy to know the right age to visit this park.

The great thing about Chessington is that it's suitable for all ages. There are rides for babies, toddlers, thrill-seeking tweens, teens and adults.

Most of the rides are designed for children measuring 1.2 m and over, but there are still plenty of rides for younger children in the park.

If you don't like bigger roller coasters, there are also many quieter attractions.

Buggy rentals are available, which can be a great way to save your little ones' energy, as you'll be doing a lot of walking in a day.

When is the best time to visit Chessington??

World of Adventures is an incredibly popular theme park and can be very crowded.

My advice for visiting would be to arrive as soon as the doors open, or earlier to get in line.

The rides are much less busy in the morning.

The catering options you can find in this park

The complex offers a multitude of dining options. While some of the restaurants may disappoint, the street food stalls stand out for their quality.

By the way, these stands are not on the map, so keep an eye on them earlier in the day to know when to come back at mealtimes.

To keep hydrated, especially on the hottest days, consider taking a few cold drinks with you, or stop for a drink in one of the park's cafés.

Chessington is a popular theme park with Londoners and tourists alike. During your stay, if you want to spend a day with the family, I advise you to visit this place!